📍 Address: 93 Salem St, Boston

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)

Went here for dinner on a Friday with a friend from out of town. We had a 7 p.m. reservation, but ran a bit late. We sat at the bar and got a bottle of wine while waiting (about $38 for pinot grigio). The place was very noisy, probably good for children but not quite what I was looking for. We ordered two entrees, I don't remembers hers but I got the pork chop with potatoes and peppers. It was such a small serving for the $23 price tag and for what I've come to expect in the North End. The potato was literally HALF a small potato cut in two. It was overpriced for what it was. I am glad I had not stuffed myself because I would have been too full to drink the rest of the night (can't have that), but I wouldn't go back for the price and portion size. There are too many other good places to discover to ever come here again.

📍 Address: 405 Hancock St, Quincy

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

we just moved to quincy, so we're starting to explore the wonderful food establishments around us. last night, upon nick's brother's request, we sort of stumbled out of our apt. and walked to find a good place to buy cheap food. beni's it was. they have a big selection of different foods, and a nice assortment of sushi choices. we shared the following plates: crab rangoons stir fried noodles teriyaki style with beef spicy tuna roll crazy maki roll (shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado, tobiko-but i hate that stuff so i always get my rolls without it, and spicy mayo on top) and mike got a mango smoothie which was yummy! (best with rum in it too!) my most favorite thing of these was the noodles. the steak in it was delicious! and the crazy roll was also SOOOO GOOD!!! i'd get those two again for sure. my least favorite was the crab rangoons. i won't get those again. too much crab, not enough cream cheese, too "fishy" tasting for me. but they are cheap. you get 10 of them for 5.50 there's so much more i want to try. and they have an amazing variety of smoothies. really interesting ones, like the avocado smoothie. i'm not sure i'd try that, or the red bean one. but definitely the watermelon, and the mango w/ pineapple. can't wait to go here again and again and again.

📍 Address: 4715 E 5th St, Austin

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

My boyfriend brews his own beer and loves anything to do with beer so we were excited to try this restaurant. We made a reservation for four and were happy to receive a call beforehand to ask about allergies, preferences etc. The restaurant is gorgeous and the acoustics are good. Although there were a lot of people at the restaurant chatting and laughing we were able to have a conversation at our table without having to yell which was a welcome change from many new trendy restaurants. (I am looking at your Suerte). We ordered three beers and one glass of wine between the four of us. My friend asked where the "Texas Hill Country Wine" was from and the waitress didn't know and didn't offer to check. My friend was persistent and asked her to find out what winery/vineyard the wine was from. She came back and said- it's actually from West Texas. Ugh- first that isn't the Hill Country and second this doesn't answer the question of which winery it is from. My friend orders the unknown wine anyway. The waitress returns with two beers and a glass of wine and acts confused when I point out we are missing a drink.... we eventually all have a drink in front of us and we order. The food was fantastic- the pork ribs, rabbit carnitas, fish dish (can't remember what it was) were all amazing (although small portions). After asking about our missing order of hearth bread a few times it appears when we are practically done with our meal. I am so glad we decided not to cancel because it was fricken phenomenal. At this point my friend pays the waitress for her meal as she has an hour long drive and we stay for dessert which was also very good. We paid our bill and started to leave when we realized we had been charged for my friends dinner as well (she had already paid). We discussed it with our waitress who couldn't seem to remember that my friend paid her for her dinner approximately 20 minutes prior. After much discussion we were issued a refund for my friends dinner. I don't even understand how this mis-step happened as you pay on a tablet at the table - the system should already recognize those items were paid for. As much as we loved the food it will be a long time (if ever) before we return. There were simply too many issues- eating out should not feel like a battle every step of the way.

📍 Address: 169 Brighton Ave, Allston

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐ (3)

I could't find the zero stars rating. Actually, can I give it -5 stars? So, I'd like to start this by saying I've been fortunate enough to eat at Totto in New York. Top notch, and honestly has set my bar for ramen in both New York and Boston. After seeing Totto open up in Boston, I was excited to try it, though put off by the hype and long lines to actually get a seat. (You can't get it to go). So, Last night was the night. It was around 9pm, I was hungry and knew I wanted to try it, knowing how amazing the one in New York was. I sit down (with no wait time), browse the menu, settled with the Miso Ramen. It came with ground pork, additional pork slices (i paid extra), noodles, scallions, onions, the works. I had to run to the ATM immediately after ordering my meal, due to being a cash only spot. Maybe put a bigger sign in the window? Is there even a sign? I don't know, i'm not going back to find out, either. After running to the ATM and returning in no more than 5 minutes, I see that my ramen had already been cooked and put on the table. I take my first bite, and realize the noodles are hard and almost undercooked. They didn't feel as juicy and flavorful as I would have anticipated. This set me back on my excitement, to say the least, but it wasn't going to stop me from devouring the meal. The broth all steamy and hot, noodles that are semi hard and crunchy, to a fried egg that looked promising. Well, it wasn't. It was COLD, like, barely cooked it cold. I started to get worried. Obviously the paranoia set in of, "I hope this doesn't mess with my stomach", I put that past me, and stayed away from the egg. My favorite part was the pork, seemed the most flavorful as well as soft and tender. Quickly trying to finish up most of the meal that was still costing me 12 dollars, but not agreeing well with my taste buds, I scurried out of there and still tipped well because that waitress was a cutie and the wait service was pretty good. My stomach wasn't feeling so hot about an hour after the meal, I didn't think anything of it other than it may have been that undercooked egg. Fast forward to 5am, I wake up with my stomach doing all sorts of acrobats inside me, run to the bathroom and puke up the entire meal, ferociously, I could have replaced a firing squad with the projectile of that vomit. Next thing I know, things are trying to move "South". Now I have things coming out from both sides. Wow, all for the cost of 12 dollars. Say it ain't so. It may be cheaper to buy an OTC laxative, next time. They really need to take some notes from New York's Totto. Cmahhhhn. I'm telling ya folks, between wait time to get your fanny in a chair, the time to get that spicy ramen on the table and down your gullet, to the time you're sitting on the toilet, while puking into your sink, this is the true 12 hour dinner "Experience". If you are trying to slowly kill yourself, that is. BE AWARE. THIS PLACE IS AWFUL. If you're going to eat here, be sure to stop at CVS next door for some Pepto on the way home, you're going to need it!

📍 Address: 7 Knapp St, Boston

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)

If you are feeling adventurous come to the Potluck Cafe, located on the dirtiest street in the dirtiest neighborhood in Boston. It will be an adventure because this is not American Chinese food: think chicken feet, pig organs, ect... But they also have some dishes that an American palate would enjoy such as general Gaus Chicken and kung pow chicken. Since it is fast and cheap (similar to the set up you'd find in a mall food court) the food is not of the best quality. I got a bone in my General gaus chicken. Still the food is half decent and you are paying early 90's prices for three entrees, rice and soup so it is a good value.

📍 Address: 4220 N Mississippi Ave, Portland

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)

The owners are so kind, and the food is always delicious. Their chai is fantastic, the best I've had in Portland.